In a previous post, we delved deep into the theoretical underpinnings of Quality Improvement (QI) and its criticality in anesthesiology. We explored how this discipline intertwines with patient care, emphasizing its role in enhancing clinical practices for optimal patient well-being. As we transition from theoretical constructs to practical implementations, we venture into the realm of local hospitals, specifically their anesthesia departments. This is where theory meets practice, where abstract quality metrics translate into tangible …
HIQUIPS: Quality Metrics in Anesthesia Part 1 – The Basics
Introduction to Quality Improvement and Applicability to Patient Care in Anesthesia Continued medical advancement involves refining clinical practices to maximize patient well-being, with Quality Improvement (QI) being a critical method to systematically identify and address care deficits. As integral members of the perioperative care team, anesthesiologists anticipate potential complications and mitigate them through patient optimization. These inherent challenges in anesthetic choice highlight the crucial need for integrating QI into anesthesiology. While historically, perioperative …
The Virtual Emergency Physician: Reducing Medico-Legal Risk and Improving Patient Safety – CMPA
While virtual care has been used in several provinces for decades (1), during the COVID pandemic the use of these models of care increased. Virtual care may be structured in different ways, with differing access points and staffing structures (2). In this article, we focus on the model of the in-person emergency department staffed with nurses with a virtual emergency physician. Some emergency departments have made the difficult decision to close or reduce open hours as …
See (N)one, Do One, Teach One: Barriers in Teaching Cricothyrotomy
“Can’t Intubate, Can’t Ventilate” – a fearsome phrase for all airway providers that necessitates an equally fright-inducing procedure. Cricothyrotomy is an emergency procedure where an incision is made through the cricothyroid membrane and a tube is inserted for ventilation. Although there are percutaneous techniques, this article will discuss surgical techniques which have been shown to produce more favourable success, complication rates of the procedure, as well as address some common fears associated with …
HiQuiPs: Test Result Follow-up in the Emergency Department
Introduction Test result follow-up can be especially challenging in the Emergency Department (ED) due to its multiplicity of moving parts. ED physicians are under increasing pressure when treating patients due to the challenges of high volumes of patients, pressure for quick discharges in the face of space constraints, and complexities surrounding patient handover. Test result follow-up is a process that is complex and has several steps, each with their own potential for error. …
HiQuiPs: Patient Safety Fundamentals – Patient Fall Prevention
An 85-year-old woman who lives independently at home was hospitalized three days ago for pneumonia. She has multiple comorbidities, including dementia, hypertension and diabetic neuropathy. While in hospital, the patient’s care team noticed her losing balance, and it was determined that the patient was at high risk of falling. One evening, the patient attempted to go to the bathroom independently. She put on her glasses and took the cane provided to her, as …